{Birthday booties (50% off now) from my mom and Topshop fedora from my sister-in-law. My nephews told me that I would look like Indiana Jones if I wore them both together. Here are two other hat options here and here. And I also love the Harrow bootie.}

{I usually lean more towards contemporary styles than vintage, but this vintage Christmas display makes me want all new decorations. Love the white out.}

{Someone digs the Biscoff jars that we all got for Christmas. By the way, some Costco locations sell it and it is DELICIOUS.}

{Toilet seat covers for a stocking stuffer. Thanks, Dad.}

{twitter – My little brother really got into the whole no shaving in November thing…}

{An early morning Christmas morning run on the deserted main street in town}

{We got some serious Seahawks fans with some seriously fab moves (I think they’re trying to do the Heisman Trophy pose? That or ballroom dance.}

{The weather has been so gorgeous the last few days and has made for great morning runs and sunrise chasing.}

Lastly, two quick Reader Roundup features:

Courtney,

Just wanted to see a message for your reader roundup. My family and I continued our tradition of doing a local food bank’s Turkey Trot this year in Eugene. We decided to do the 4 mile run instead of 2 mile walk this year. It was my oldest son’s first run and he did awesome – finished in 54:00 and my youngest eight year old finished in 46:02!

Michelle,

My name is Michelle Johannsen. I am originally from Austin, Minnesota, that’s right, home of the world famous Spam, and am finishing up my undergrad at Winona State.

This summer I am joining a team of college aged runners to run across the U.S. from San Francisco to Baltimore for the Ulman Foundation. The Ulman Foundation is a cancer support group for young adults. They provide several scholarships to young adults who are trying to fight cancer while also attending college.

The run acts as a way to gain attention and support for these individuals. As a runner we must fund raise a minimum of $4500.00. I am off to a great start so far but was hoping that you guys could help me get the word out and get some more donations.

Two days until Christmas and although time is quickly running out for shopping, if you order by 3pm today at Nordstrom, you can still receive your gifts by Christmas Eve. That’s crazy to me.

These things won’t arrive by Christmas, but here are a few of my very favorite pieces from New Balance. I was gifted a lot of gear and these are the ones that I grab and wear over and over and over for training, for races, for lounging, for barre classes, etc.

I have multiple pairs in black and purple. They have a nice wide waistband, are short enough but not too short and really light which means they dry fast. And the black ones go with anything, a great running staple.

I’m so obsessed with this longer pullover; I have it in black and coral and I’d love it in gray as well. I got a medium so it’s loose but still form fitting and long enough to cover the booty. Love the neckline too.

I have it in three colors and it’s a great longer, loose tank for running or layering. And the black goes with everything. A couple other HKNB tanks I have: this blousy one’s on sale and the essential tank is less than $20 on sale.

I always wore Moving Comfort and still do, but I’m the FF just as well. It hasn’t chafed me at all and it’s just a good, simple nothing flashy sports bra that does the job. And no picture because you don’t need to see that nonsense, right?

Because I didn’t want to spend all day running, I got up at 4am (ugggghhh what is wrong with me?) to get started by 5am. My plan was to run 21 miles on the treadmill while it was dark and then do a 10 mile loop in Newport Beach.

I had everything set out the night before (coffee, change of clothes, fuel, sunscreen, headphones, etc) and I think being prepared really made things easier. It would have been a lot more difficult had I slept in, threw on a pair of shoes and hit the streets at 9am trying to get 31 under my belt. I had a plan and everything was ready so all I needed to do was put in the time and effort.

Since it was December 17th, I decided to bust out a shiny brand new pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 17s. 17 on 17. I also got a nice blood blister on my toe, but hey that’s the price you pay for breaking in your shoes with a long run.

I started running a little before 5 and did the first 8.13 miles in 65 minutes, the most time the treadmill goes to, with a 1.0% incline. Then I did 8.15 miles for the next 65 minutes.

BOREDOM

For those who asked how to run long on a treadmill because it’s so boring, I don’t know. Yes, it is boring. I stared at the clock a lot and watched the news. It is really really really boring but you just do it. I didn’t want to quit so I had no other option than to suck it up and keep going.

I watched all the different news shows and channels until about the last mile. Then I turned on my music; I had been saving it for when I really needed it.

I’d recommend trying to slowly increase your time or mileage. Try to go just 2 minutes longer than the last run. Or download new music, a new show on your ipad, time your run according to the TV schedule if possible. And if you absolutely hate treadmill running like a lot of people do, that’s ok. Run outside when you can. You’re not any better or worse for where you run or even if you run. Do the workout that you get joy, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment from.

Motivational speech over now.

In between hours I changed my clothes, refilled my water bottle and checked birthday messages on my phone.

FUELING

I had planned to eat a Clif bar (my favorite flavor) before the run and then one while driving to Newport Beach but I didn’t eat either. Because it was so early any sort of “real” food did not sound appealing.

I ended up drinking 3 bottles of Xtend Endurance drink mix (300 calories) and two packets of Shot Bloks (400 calories). Had I had another packet for the last 10 miles, I would have eaten them too but otherwise I felt like I fueled well. I was never hungry or thirsty or totally drained.

Awhile ago Scivation emailed and asked if I wanted to try out their Endurance drink mix and it arrived the day before my birthday. The main goodies in the magic mix are BCAAs, Citrulline Malate, Glutamine and Electrolytes. It also has carbs and sodium and potassium as well.

I’ve taken Glutamine before and heard of branched chain amino acids but that’s about the extent of my knowledge so I had to do some Google action. You can read about BCAAs here, more information about Citrulline Malate, and Glutamine from Runner’s World. I believe my pal and speed demon Janae takes Glutamine as well.

I tried the Raspberry Blue flavor and I do like the taste but it’s really sweet (I did one serving/one scoop in a water bottle) and I’m actually not big on sweet drinks. Shocking for how much I love candy. I ran 15.2 miles/2 hours on the treadmill this morning and put one scoop in a larger water tumbler and it was better – more watered down and less sweet.

Anyways, I ran my last 4.8 miles/38 minutes to make 21 miles at a 7:58 pace and then headed to the Back Bay Loop in Newport.

Monica offered to keep me company so she met me there at 8:45 am and we took off for the final 10. I chose to run this area on purpose because I figured my chances of quitting or cutting it short were less on a looped course. Once you start, you might as well keep going until you finish.

It was a little warm and the loop has some rolling hills, but it was nice to have someone to talk with to make the time go by faster. I figured I would run slower outside as opposed to the treadmill and I did. Even though the ‘mill is mind numbingly boring, for me it’s a little easier to run faster on. I just had to punch in the 8 min/mile pace and hang on instead of pushing the pace and being mentally disciplined enough to stay there.

Basically what I’m saying is I’m trying to find a treadmill marathon race to run in 2014.

We ran the 10 miles in 1:25, an 8:30 average and with that, 31 miles on my 31st birthday were done.

Top//Skirt//Socks (similar)//Shoes//water bottle is from PickyBars and it is awesome, best water bottle around but I’m not sure they’re available for sale

I last ran this race in 2009 or 2010, I can’t remember, but it’s a lot more fun when you’re with friends!

There’s also a 5k and kids’ run the day before and registration opens in January for the 2014 race.

{Reese working it for the camera. Or fixing her sunglasses, whatever.}

The race starts and finishes at the Pomona Fair Plex which is a great location for finish line festivites and all that, but get there early: parking gets backed up since there’s only one open entrance into the fairgrounds. And parking is $10 which is a bummer but there is race day packet pickup, awesome.

We quick grabbed our bibs and hustled to the start line where Monica surprised me with a little gift: a salted caramel GU. I thought it was a seasonal flavor?? Anyways, it’s amazing. Go buy it now and eat it just for a snack, not even for running.

{For those of you who asked about my skirt and the chevron one from yesterday, they’re both from Running Skirts and the code SHARETHELOVE13 is good for 15% off}

I went with my black Wave Rider 16s for this race. Even though I like the extra cushioning on the new WR 17, this is my all-time favorite color combo. I gotta get the new black 17s something fierce.

The race started at 8am with “snow” falling as you crossed the start line. You know I love a themed race and what’s better than a holiday one? Um nothing. This race is fun because they really play up the holiday theme with the snowflake medals, cute red snowflake race shirts, Santa hats that are included in the race registration, etc. I’m a sucker for all that stuff.

I started with Monica and we ran the first 8ish miles together. It’s a hilly course! You run on the Auto Club Raceway track at the beginning and end of the race, but you also run around the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park and Puddingstone Lake. It’s nice that there’s a lot of change in scenery to keep you from getting bored, but be aware of the rolling hills.

We ran up and across this dam – it was really pretty so I turned around to get an action shot of Monica…

And then I TRIPPED AND FELL BACKWARDS OVER A TRAFFIC CONE.

So that was awesome.

Monica was embarrassed of me so we split up around mile 8 or 9 and I pushed a little harder for the last few miles and finished in 1:45:11.

And then I saw my friends. Heather had a 3 minute PR and double PR’ed this weekend! Girl cray. And Margot ran so fast I didn’t even end up getting a picture of her, plus she was off doing extra miles like a boss.

For me, it was a fun race to end the year on. A lot of people dressed up, it was a perfect weather day for running, there was tons of food and booths and music set up for post-race fun, it’s a good time. I would just recommend getting to the start early to have plenty of time to park and remember that it’s not a totally flat course. And even though it’s December, it can get warm so bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and your Santa bikini.

I bought these leggings because I read somewhere online that they were “the best leggings in the universe”. I’ve never tried C&C bottoms before but I figured for 40% off, if they’re not worth it I can always return them. I don’t know, from this picture they don’t look that awesome, do they? Anyone have them?

I also purchased this sweater on sale because you get free shipping for orders over $99 so I had to spend more to save more. yeah, that makes sense. You can check out all the sales here.

I thought these two sweatshirts were cute as well and both are already on sale:

{Warming up before a morning run. I’m not sure the SoCal weather really warrants tights, long sleeves and a pullover but I’m a weenie.}

{I made The Pioneer Woman’s chocolate peanut butter pie the other day. I got a little overzealous on the crust and made it too high up the sides of the dish, but the pie itself is really good. Randomly when I was at Target in line to buy the pie ingredients, the woman in front of me asked me if and what I was baking. I said peanut butter pie and she goes, “Oh Pioneer Woman’s pie?” You know you’ve made it big when you come up in total strangers’ conversations.}

{Cotton candy sky on the way home}

{I’m obsessed with booties lately. I keep shopping around for sales because I want to get a nice pair so I need to just bite the bullet and order some. Maybe after Christmas. These Joie ones are on sale and are cute, but I really want these Rag & Bone booties.}

{Old Navy sweatpants and Chucks, yeah buddy. It don’t get any sexier.}

{I bought another sweet blanket from Costco; remember the one Janae said was so amazing so I bought it and it’s easily one of the top 5 coolest things I own? This one’s a little different and not quite as life changing but really soft for less than $10.}

{I was asked about my shoe inserts and if I buy multiple pairs and how long I keep them. I just buy one pair at a time (mine are about $80) and switch them out every time I switch shoes. I try to wear a different pair of shoes, even if it’s the same style/brand/edition, every couple days to avoid injury. Just this morning I switched from the Mizuno Wave Rider 16s to the new 17s. LOVE THESE SHOES. And I replace my insoles about twice a year.}

{My husband told me he wanted this 40 year old $700 bottle of scotch. And then I laughed my head off and walked away.}